Bike To Work Week 2009

Here’s a recap of Bike to Work Week 2009…

Wow what a week! Fantastic Final Friday morning in Comox

What a glorious morning to be on your bike, more than 100 folks pedaled by the 2 Celebration Stations in Comox this morning…

Next week it will be strange to not see Simon’s Cycles outside the iHos Gallery on the Comox/Dyke Road, thanks Simon and Patti for holding it down all week!

An average of 55 people passed by between 7 and 9am every day.

At the top of the hill, there was also a great turn out at Anderton Road and Comox Avenue, thanks to Black’s Cycle, The Eagle 97.3FM and all of our volunteers

Meanwhile at CFB Comox, the week wrapped up with a total of 113 people stopping by the tent on the way to work in the morning, there were also 64 ride bys.

Don’t forget to fill in your details and hand your Celebration Station Passport in at any bike shop or Recreation Centre in the Valley, next week we will be drawing random names from the hat and you could win a prize from our fantastic sponsors and supporters.

Hopefully riding your bike this week has encouraged you to continue doing so, Summer is just around the corner, what better way is there to get around?

Happy Bike to Work week 2009 Comox Valley, see you in 2010!

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Simply stunning turnout at Simms Park

What an amazing morning we had at Simms Park in Courtenay!

The sun was shining and 78 cyclists stopped in to the Celebration Station to get their passport stamped, pick up a snack and see what was going on under the pop up tent.

72 others rode by, not wishing to be late for work, or perhaps strangely… not wanting any free chocolate!

Thanks to Mountain City Cycle and The Broken Spoke Coffee House for offering mechanical advice, all our food sponsors, The Eagle 97.3 FM for once again broadcasting live and all of our volunteers.

No sooner had we packed up when a steady stream of young folks and their parents started to arrive, getting ready for the "Bike to the Playground" event at 10am…

25 youngsters did the ride from Simms Park, under the 5th Street bridge and all the way to the playground at Lewis Park, for a ribbon, cookie and juice in the sunshine.

Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day across Canada and the United States and the final day of Bike to Work week 2009 celebrations in the Comox Valley.

There are plenty of places to get your passport stamped around the valley;

You can stop in at any Recreation Centre or Bike Shop and look out for Celebration Stations from 7 - 9am at the iHos Gallery, CFB Comox and outside Black’s Cycle at Anderton Road and Comox Ave in Comox.

Don’t forget to fill in your details and hand it in, it doesn’t matter how many stamps you have, you could win a prize!

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A peaceful morning in Cumberland

Half way through the week already!

This morning at Peace Park in Cumberland, 12 stopped in and loaded up on chocolate, muffins, coffee, granola bars and other goodies, whilst another 20 unfortunately didn’t have time, so carried on pedaling…

It was inspiring to see so many youngsters heading to school on their bikes, setting a great example.

Tomorrow morning at Simms Park in downtown Courtenay, there’ll be a Celebration Station open from 7am until 9am.

Meanwhile at the Celebration Station on Comox/Dyke Road at the iHos Gallery, more folks are arriving every day, 60 people stopped in today, how many will there be tomorrow? The station will be open from 7 to 9am Thursday and Friday.

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Bike commuters out in force at CFB Comox

Another glorious morning, an amazing 70 folks went by bike to CFB Comox, 38 stopped in to pick up a passport, sign in, have a coffee and snack, whilst 32 others kept on riding….

The Celebration will continue all week, stop by any morning and get your passport stamped, outside the gates at 19 Wing.

Meanwhile, in Courtenay, Trail Bicycles have had approx. 30 visitors each day so far this week, enjoying delicious fair trade coffee from The Freakin’ Coffeeshop and getting a tune up.

They will also be open early every morning and have many special offers especially for Bike to Work week, why not stop by?

Tomorrow morning if you are passing by Peace Park in Cumberland, just look for the balloons…

First morning a success!

The sky cleared, the rain stopped and Bike to Work week 2009 in the Comox Valley got off to a fantastic start this morning.

There was a great turn out at the iHos Gallery on Comox Road, 36 folks stopped in and got their Passport stamped at the Celebration Station and another 17 sped by on their way to work.

Many thanks to Simon’s Cycles who made sure that everyone’s bikes were in tip top condition for the commute, The Eagle 97.3FM for broadcasting live and Comox Recreation, Active Comox Valley and World Community for providing tasty snacks and treats and keeping the volunteers and commuters fuelled with coffee, chocolate and muffins.

Look out for Simon’s Cycles every day this week at the iHos Gallery from 7am to 9am

Also check out the following Celebration Stations each day this week;

Tuesday May 12th

CFB Comox

7am - 9am

Wednesday May 13th

Peace Park, Cumberland

7am - 9am

Thursday May 14th

Simms Park, Courtenay

7am - 11am*

Friday May 15th

Anderton Road/Comox Ave, Comox

7am - 9am

* "Bike to the Playground", a special event for pre-schoolers, runs from 10am to 11am at Simms Park

Just look for the banner…

Don’t forget, you can also pick up a Passport and get it stamped at any Recreation Centre, School, or bike shop in the valley, have a great week and enjoy the ride!

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Bike to Work week starts Monday

There’s just a few days to go before the start of Bike to Work week 2009.

Don’t worry if you are not going to bike to work next week, it is a great way to get around, whatever you are doing, whether you are…

Biking to school or college Biking to vote on May 12th Biking to the grocery store Biking to the library Biking to volunteer Biking to the beach

Children of pre school age can also get involved by riding to any Celebration Station (any Recreation Centre, School, or bike shop in the Comox Valley) and getting their passport stamped any day during Bike to Work week, (May 11th through 17th).

Look out for the green and orange balloons and the Bike to Work week banner at the following locations and many others next week;

Monday May 11th 7 - 9am

iHos Gallery, Comox

Tuesday May 12th 7 - 9am

CFB Comox, outside the gates

Wednesday May 13th 7 - 9am

Peace Park, Cumberland

Thursday May 14th 7 - 11am*

Simms Park, Courtenay

Friday May 15th 7 - 9am

Corner of Anderton Road and Comox Avenue, Comox

* The Bike to Work week event is followed by a special Bike to the Playground event, 10am - 11am

Stop by, pick up a Celebration Station Passport and get it stamped every day during the week.

There will be free granola bars and water from Active Comox Valley and Water Pure and Simple, delicious fair trade Camino chocolate bars from World Community, gift vouchers from all of the bike shops in the valley, free passes from the Sports and Aquatic Centres, T-Shirts, coffee, muffins and many other great give aways from our sponsors and supporters.

The Eagle 97.3 FM will be broadcasting live from selected Celebration Stations each morning.

Celebrate Bike to Work week Comox Valley, May 11th - 17th 2009

"Bike to the Playground" event.

Kids can start (under supervision of their parents) at Simms Park, ride under the 5th Street Bridge along the river to the Lewis Centre and get their passport stamped there.

They can do it on any kind of bike or scooter. They can even be pulled in a trailer by mum or dad .

Kids doing this ride (or any portion of it) would receive cookies, juice and a ribbon at the playground near the outdoor pool in Lewis Park.

20 teams registered so far

As of Monday May 4th, 20 teams are already officially registered for Bike to Work Week 2009.

There is still plenty of time to register, it is free and it doesn’t matter if you are an individual or a team of 100! Click here for more information on how to register.

The results for all registered teams will be visible beginning Monday May 11, the start of the second annual Comox Valley Bike to Work week.

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Bike to Work next week

Bike to Work Week Celebration Stations Reward Commuter Cyclists

The Bike to Work Week (BTWW) committee encourages Comox Valley residents to come by and visit BTWW "Celebration Stations" located throughout the Comox Valley during Bike to Work Week - May 11th – 15th.

During a visit to the celebration stations you can enjoy a snack and a drink, have your passport stamped, meet other cyclists, celebrate your accomplishments, and get a free bike check.

You will find celebration stations between 6:30/7 a.m. – 9 a.m. at the following locations:

Celebration stations are a celebration of cycling and the health, wellness and fun benefits that go along with it. Every day during BTWW, celebration stations, sponsored by local bike shops, will be held along popular bike routes throughout the Comox Valley.

Look for the BTWW banner and green and orange balloons.

In addition to having your passports stamped at the celebration stations, cyclists can drop in to any City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland or Comox Valley Regional District recreation centres for a stamp.

Parents who are encouraging their children to commute via bicycle to school can also have their passports stamped at any of the School District 71 offices.

To sign up and be counted as a BTWW commuter and for a detailed listing of the BTWW events and celebration stations visit www.biketowork.ca/comox_valley.

Stop by, pick up a Celebration Station Passport and get it stamped every day during the week.

There will be free granola bars and water from Active Comox Valley and Water Pure and Simple, Delicious Fair Trade Camino chocolate bars from World Community, gift vouchers from all of the bike shops in the valley, free passes from the Sports and Aquatic Centres, T-Shirts, coffee, muffins and many other great give aways from our sponsors and supporters.

Celebrate Bike to Work week Comox Valley, May 11th - 17th 2009

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Comox Valley - Are You Ready?

It’s a little over a week until Bike to Work week 2009.

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Bike to Work skills courses

Skills Courses are available to help you get ready for this year’s Bike to Work week on the following dates;

Saturday April 25th and again on Saturday May 9th Courses run from 9am to 4:30pm at The Florence Filberg Centre, Courtenay

Course instructor: Gavin MacPhail assisted by Ed Schum

Cost: $30.00 per person

This course is designed for anyone who can ride a bike but is not comfortable riding in traffic.

It combines classroom and on-road training to give you the skills and information you need to take your bike on the road – and enjoy it!

You will learn how to cycle safely and confidently in an urban environment. The course takes you through the most common situations you’ll face when you ride your bike in traffic. It also provides you with tips to make cycling a fun and regular part of your life.

The Bike to Work Skills course is open to anyone 16 and over, whether you ride to work, to school, to go shopping, or just for the fun of it. You’re never too old to learn to enjoy using your bicycle for transportation!

Please bring your bike (must be in good working order) an approved cycling helmet and lunch, as there will not be enough time to go out to eat.

Want to help spread the word about Bike To Work Week?

Women On Wheels 2009

Ladies, if you are interested in taking part in the second annual Comox Valley Bike to Work Week from May 11th to 17th but are unsure of yourself on two wheels, then register for the FREE Women On Wheels course.

Basic safe riding skills and techniques will be presented, such as gear shifting, braking techniques, cornering, balancing, and general road safety.

The course will be held on Saturday April 11th from 10am to 12pm at the Comox Community Centre and again on Saturday April 25th from 10am to 12pm, it is free, but space is limited to 10 people.

You must be 16 years of age or older, have a bicycle in good working order and a helmet.

Instructor: Patti Fletcher

To register, please contact the Comox Community Centre at 250 339 2255.

Results So Far

These results do not reflect final numbers until after Bike To Work Week. Numbers shown below are only for teams that have reported so far.